Today's post is by guest writer Joanne Beckley.
In the book, *The Bell Jar* by Sylvia Plath, the main character is wracked with a decision that needs to be made. That night, in a dream, she stands viewing a tree with all the figs withered and rotting on the ground. On awaking, she realizes that not making a decision is a decision.
Long ago I stood facing a live fig tree and viewed the same disappointment in myself because I couldn’t share the bountiful crop with my neighbor—they were all lying rotting on the ground, and the gift lost.
At times making decisions can be very difficult and the temptation comes to simply ignore or wish it away, even refuse to make a decision. And so, the decision is made.
At this moment in time, you and I are at the exact place we have brought ourselves through the myriad choices we have made along the way. The only thing over which we have much control is the very next decision we make today.
Will we make a wise choice, or jump in too quickly, or simply allow the figs to lie rotting on the ground and thus pay for the choice we actually made by not acting on the opportunity?
Life is not made up of simple answers. What life needs is the binding glue of convictions—what we believe and our hope for the future.
Romans 6:16
“Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?”
So, what are we doing today with the most life-changing power in the world? We have this gift from God—the ability to make choices. All you and I need to do is use it in the right way.
Most of us have made three far-reaching and important choices: how to make a living, whom to marry, and ultimately whom we will serve. But what about difficult decisions yet to be made?
One man said, “Hard decisions are never met with gratitude.” This is so true. I have not met someone who joyfully greets the need to make a decision.
Before I list a number of points in decision making, we must realize that our decisions affect others. Nearly every decision we make will affect different people in one way or another.
It is important to be aware of the influence our decisions will have and understand what the “human cost” will be. Consider King Saul, who let his fears rule his heart above obedience to God by making a really bad choice—and lost his sons the right to rule the kingdom of Israel (1 Samuel 15).
5 Steps to Good Decision Making
Step 1: Pray
Pray that with God’s help, you will wisely choose your thoughts and actions.
Step 2: Identify the Need
Identify what you want to achieve with your ultimate goal in mind.
Step 3: Gather Information
Gather information for weighing your options. Take the necessary time.
Step 4: Consider the Consequences
Think about the positive and negative consequences for each choice. Think carefully and walk softly when there is a lack of information available.
Step 5: Make Your Decision
If action must be taken, prefer the best choice—even if you will be seen as the one at fault and must ask for forgiveness.
Step 6: Evaluate Afterwards
Take time to evaluate the decision you made and the action you took. Reflect not only on your success, but also on your mistakes. You cannot learn from your mistakes if you don’t take the time to reflect on them.
Consider questions like these:
- Maybe an assumption was way off or you didn't seek any other input.
- Maybe you didn't give yourself time to think things through.
- Are you afraid of failure or even the consequences of success?
- Did you worry about what other people will think about you?
- Even perfectionism may be getting in your way.
- Perhaps you didn’t purposefully make a decision and must now face the consequences.
Analyze the situation and look at other possible alternatives you may have had. What did you learn? What will you do differently tomorrow as a result?
Yes, we can make bad decisions. Most of our bad decisions occur because they feel comfortable and automatic, and our emotions steer us incorrectly. Our perception of time is inaccurate and we fail to consider what might be down the road.
There are always consequences when we make unwise choices. A mature person will accept the consequences and learn from them. Likewise, when time proves we have made a wise decision, we will rejoice and give thanks to God.
God has given us the power of choice. No other animal in the world has ever had this power. Obviously, God has given us the ability to make good—even excellent—decisions.
Let us not cripple or weaken that gift. No one desires rotting figs lying on the ground.
Joanne Beckley
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